Multifloor feeders



Nov. 6, 1956 M. SMALLEGAN MULTIFLOOR FEEDERS 3 Sheets-Sheet Filed Aug. 25, 1955 5 7 O 6 7 N i j k Y 7 8 w 8 F\/ v MP, M m 8 & w M .a m w F e .n 4 F wfifi M sill xxymmw O\ TN W United States Patent MULTIFLOOR FEEDERS Marvin L. Smallegan, Zeeland, Mich., assignor to Automatic Poultry Feeder Company, Zeeland, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application August 25, 1953, Serial No. 376,410

6 Claims. (Cl. 198-85) This invention relates to feeders and more particularly to a feeder designed to operate simultaneously upon several floors, with the feed supplied to the feed distribution means on all of the floors from a single hopper on the ground floor.

The expansion of the poultry business has made it necessary and desirable to build multi-fioor poultry houses. While this is a saving in total ground area utilized and is economical in the original investment, it has always presented serious difiiculties when it came to properly and adequately feeding the poultry on the upper floors. While the provision of water on the upper floors was simple, because it could be moved through pipes under pressure, the movement of the dry feed to the upper floors remained a problem which, until this invention, had never been satisfactorily solved.

Heretofore it has been necessary to provide storage hoppers for the feed on each of the floors. Each of these hoppers had to be individually supplied. This necessitated the transportation of the bulk feed to these upper floors, either manually or mechanically by means of winches or elevators. Whatever method was used to elevate the feed, this handling of the feed required much manual labor and consumed many man hours. It eliminated the possibility of supplying the feed to the hoppers from bulk trucks in which the feed was loaded directly from large storage bins without first sacking it in containers of limited size and weight such as 100 pound units.

Further, the use of storage bins on each of the separate floors necessitated the use of much bulky equipment eliminated by my invention. Not only was it necessary to provide this bulky equipment but it was also necessary to be sure the floors were adequate to support the concentrated loads imposed by these hoppers when fully loaded. The operators had to periodically climb to the upper floors to inspect the hoppers to make sure that sufficient feed was present to adequately supply the poultry.

My invention solves this difiicult problem by a simple, efiicient and reliable arrangement. It makes it possible to completely and adequately supply simultaneously any one or all of a large number of floors with adequate supplies of feed using a single bulk hopper located on the ground floor. Thus, my invention makes it possible to eliminate the elevation of all bulk feed to upper floors. It also eliminates the necessity for storage hoppers on the upper floors. It further eliminates all necessity for the operators inspecting the upper floor feeder to make sure they are adequately supplied. All of these operations can be properly attended to on the first floor alone.

These and other objects and purposes of my invention will be readily seen by those acquainted with the construction of poultry feeding equipment upon reading the following specification and the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation view of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view of the ground floor hopper for my invention taken along the plane lI-II of Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation view of the ground floor hopper for my invention.

Fig. 4 is a sectional plan view of the typical feed distributor for the upper floors taken along the plane IV-IV of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of the feed distributor shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view taken along the plane VI-VI of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of the outside of the feed return tube taken in the same area as Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary, sectional view of the feed elevator.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along the plane IX-1X of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged, sectional view taken along the plane X-X of Fig. 4.

Fig. 11 is a sectional, elevation view taken along the plane XIXI of Fig. 10.

In executing the objects and purposes of my invention, I have provided a machine having a bulk feed hopper on the ground floor. The bulk feed hopper is designed to distribute feed through multiple troughs to poultry on the ground floor. The feed is removed from the main storage bin in the ground floor hopper and discharged onto the distribution chains of the troughs on the ground floor. Excess feed, after passing across the chains, is discharged into an elevator.

The machine is so arranged that substantial excess quantities of feed pass into the elevator after passing over the chains on the ground floor. This feed is elevated to a point above the feed distribution means on the top one of the several floors to be supplied. There the feed is discharged from the elevator into a chute where it may either be caused to by-pass the distribution means on that floor and dropped to the next floor below or it may be discharged into a feed distribution means on the top floor. If it is discharged into the distribution means on the top floor, it is moved across the feed distribution chains on that floor in the same manner as it was originally moved across the distribution chains on the ground floor.

A quantity of feed is supplied to the top floor that is substantially in excess of the requirements of the feed distribution chains on that floor. This excess feed is discharged into a chute and dropped to a similar feed distribution means on the next floor below. Again, means are provided whereby the feed may either be caused to by-pass that floor or discharged into the distribution means. Any excess feed from this distribution means is returned to the chute where it drops either to the next floor below or it is returned to conveyor means mounted above the hopper on the first floor. This remaining feed is screened and returned to the feed bin on the first floor.

Referring specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates a hopper having a bulk feed bin 11 (Fig. 2) the bottom of which is formed by a sloping panel 12. (Figs. 1 and 2). The inclined panel extends downwardly toward one side of the hopper forming a channel 13. The inclination of the panel 12 causes the feed to slide down into the channel 13 where it is operated upon by the supply conveyor 14. The supply conveyor 14 consists of a shaft 15 surrounded by a helically coiled rod 16 which, upon rotation of the shaft 15, serves to move the feed toward one end of the channel 13. The rod 16 is spaced an appreciable distance from the shaft 15 thereby making the supply conveyor 14 largely a hollow structure.

To one side of the feed bin 11 and within the hopper structure 10 is a feed distribution chamber 20 separated from thehopper by a vertical panel. At the discharge end of the supply conveyor 14 the panel between the feed bin 11 and the distribution chamber 20 is apertured. The shaft 15 passes through this aperture and across the dis tribution chamber. Where the shaft crosses the distribution-chamber 26,"it mounts adistribution'conveyor 21. The distribution conveyor 21 consists of a pair of jecting, flexible flange 23. The flange 23 maybe 'made trated nor described. The belt 51 is tensioned by means of an idler '56 mounted on the pivoted arm '57. 'Theidler 1 diametrically opposed, rigid helical flanges 22.. Detachably mounted'to each of the flanges 22 is a radiallyjprofrom any suitable, wear-resistant, fiexiblematerial, preferablya rubber ofrne'diurndurometer test or'a rubber and fabric combination. The overall diameter of the-distribution conveyor '21is somewhat greater than the overall diameter of the supply conveyorrl4. ,The purpose of this-will appear more fully hereinafter. The'pitch of the distribution conveyor 21 is from three to five times greater than the pitch of the supply conveyor' 1'4. The purpose of this will alsoappearm'ore fully hereinafter. iSince the rigid flanges 22 are securely afiixed to theshaft 15, the distribution conveyor 21 rotates with the shaft IS-and,

thusrevolves at the same speed 'as the supply conveyor 14.

56 is urged against the belt 51 by the spring 58. The

shaft 53 extends across theidistribution chamber into.

the power compartment 60 (Fig. 3). In the distribution chamber 20 a'pluralityof sprockets 61 are mounted on the shaft 52. Each of the sprockets 61 is aligned with one of the distribution chains 24 and engages the chain 24 to drive it. The sprockets are all tightly secured to "the shaft 53 whereby operation ofthe all of the sprockets simultaneously.

shaft Immediately adjacent the distribution conveyor 21" and between it and the sprockets 61' isa semi-.rigiiwertically 7 adjustable gate 72 (Fig. 2). The gate 72 is secured to Passing through the distribution chamber 20 in a direcsuitable construction may be used forthe distribution chains, 24. Preferably, it 'is' a hat chain suitabl'e for movement around corners without rotation about its longitudinal axis. Further description of this ehain is not believed necessary since its structural details constitute; no p'art of this invention. 7 V

On the side of the distribution chamber 20, remote from the feed bin 1 1, isan elevator 30. The elevator 30, at iitsl'bot'tom end, communicates with the distribution chamber 20 1);. means of an opening through the wall 3.1 separating the'idistribution chamber from the elev-ator 3i and from the'side compartment 32. The-aperture through the wall 31 is aligned with the shaft 15'and is atgthe'dischargeend of the distribution conveyor 21.

. distribution chamber "29, they are enclosedby apguard H the panel 73 by studs passing through slots in the panel .73. The studs are locked to the panel 73 by wing nuts 74. The purpose of the gate 72 will be fully described under Operation. I i

r The shaft .53 is driven. by means of a" chain 6connecting' it to the .speed reducer 64. The speed reducer .64 isco'nnected. to a prime mover .65 by means .ofa belt 66.

Although it is not shown, a variable speed pulleyar rangement may be interposed between the prime mover '65'and the speed reducer '64 whereby the speed of the machine may be .quickiy varied by the operator. The prime mover'65 serves as the sole source ofpowerfor driving all of'the'fee'd distribution chains'2 4 on theground floor, the elevatorlail andthe supply conveyor 14 and the distribution conveyor21. The use ofthis single power source substantially reduces the overall cost of theTmachine. Y

" Where the distribution chains 24 enter and leave the 67 toprevent poultry from being accid'ently .drawninto the operating mechanism Within the'hopper. The guards 67"each have a removable cover 68 'detachably heldlby the looped rods 69. The front and back endsiof the distribution chamber 20 areclosed to keep .outpoultry and to prevent dirt from getting into the feed and.mecha- Thejshaft 15. extends through the wall 31 across the i V elevator 34} in compartment'il Within the elevator-the Shaft: 15 mounts; a-sprocket; 33 functioning as thelower end and. driving means for the elevator chain 34; The elevator-chain 3.4 is of conventional construction, having a plurality of spaced flights. 35 (Figs. Sand 9:) attachedto the by means, of lugs 36. Each of the flights 35 is of'such; agsize that it :entirely eccupiesthe housing 37 within whichithe elevator 3.0 is. confined. Further description oftheelevator "chain. 34-and the .fiights '35 is-not" believed, necessary 's'ince any one 0f a number of com mercially available :chainI-designs suitable for this purpose may beused. Further, the. structural details :of' the chain and its flights constitutenopart of this'invention.

The-elevator 36 4s sordriven that the chain :34 moves downwardly through the elevator .column,38 :and up- Wardly through'the elevator column. 39 (Fig. l)-. The length; of the columns '38 and 396s dependent upon the number of floorsfito be supplied by the. unit. It .isfabri- 'cated in detachable lengths, secured b'yubolts passing through the flanges at each end with as. many lengths being usedaas areneeded'. The columns 38 M14393? omed'at .theirrupper ends by a header- 41 containing an idler sprocket mounted on a'shaft, 4 2. Atathis .end,: the V elevatorchain 34 discharges through an opening "inythe bottom of the header'41 into a funnel143. r a

V 1.: Theend of theshaft 15:1'11 the.endzcompaitmentSZ mounts a. pulley 50. Thepulley J59-is connected. byla 7 88; out underithe' handle (Fig. 7 )1 nism 'in'this area. While the power compartment 60 is. shown 'as/open, it is likewise closed by a removable panel f' 7 in "The feed discharged f'rom the *elevator- 30, into the.

funnel-43 falls by gravity into 'the confined chutelil).

The confined chute 89 is a'tube mounted to the side of the upper floor distributor unit 31.

The chute .80 communicatesdirectly with the feed chamber 82 in the distributo r'si through'the opening 8 3 ('Fig. 6). Mounted in the-top end of the chute S0 at each of the distributors,

81 is abaflie -84secured toa'rod'85'at its upper end. The rod projects thronghthe Walls of the chute and has a handl'e'86 on-its outer end (Eig..,'7)...jTl1ebafiie 84 may be moved'from a'han jng positionwithin thechute 80 (-indicated-iby the'broken"linesfin Fig. 6) to aisharply inclined position extending through the opening 83 (shown in'full lines inrPig. 6) where. it will 'directfeedrfrom thechute-BB or the funnel 43 into the feedchamberl'SZ;

The rod 85 is-located immediately adjacent, the wall of the chute 80remote-from the' feed chamber 82, permitting the 'bafiie 84 to accomplish its purpose;v The ibafileiis he'ld in inclined position bynroving onejleg of the latch The feed ;chamher 821s. supported withi'n' the "dis tribu tor unit 81 At its lower end it has a narrowgslot-like 7 discharge opening -90. The discharge opening?!) dis- 1 V charges-into the distribution' 'chanrber 91 through which.

belt 51 to a driven pulley 52 on the end of the shaft'53. V

"Thebelt 51Ialso passes 'over a pulley 54 :mounted on the shaft,55 The ishaft' 55 operatesla'n thb id i agitator-within the'feed bin 11.;v This agitator-forms no partof thismvent-iom-and cqnse quently isneither illuspass the dist-ributionchains,'92; The direction offthe'di's-i W tribution chains 92 isrnormalto -the;aXis-ofthedischarge I 7 opening; 'These chainsiare identical in construction to thedistribution" chains 24 used on the ground; floor;

r Immediatelybeneath the discharge"op ening -9ii isa dis:

tribution conveyor 93, identical to the distribution conveyor 21, and consisting of apair:o f 'diametr-kally" -oppose'd, rigidg helical flanges 22a .(Fig. 10-); each-having f 21. radially projecting, semi-flex ble, peripherial' fiange 2301f attached to the rigid flange 22a by suitable fasteners such as bolts 94. The rigid flanges 22a and semi-flexible flanges 23a are identical to the corresponding flanges 22 and 23 of the distribution conveyor 21. The distribution conveyor 93 has the same pitch as the distribution conveyor 21.

The distribution conveyor 93 is mounted on a shaft 95. To one side of the distribution chamber 91 is a power chamber 96 (Fig. 4). One end of the shaft 95 extends into the power chamber 96 and mounts a pulley 97. Theother end of the shaft 95 extends across the chute 80 and is journalled in a bearing 98 in the side of the chute (Fig. l). The distribution conveyor 93 moves the feed toward the chute 80 and discharges unused feed through an opening at the end of the conveyor into the chute 80. The aperture between the distribution chamber 91 and the chute 80 is large enough to readily pass all excess feed which may be moved by the distribution conveyor 93.

The forward wall 100 of the feed chamber 92, at the point where the feed chamber 82 discharges through the opening 90, is offset forwardly to form the depending panel 101 (Fig. The panel 101 is provided with a pair of slots 102 (Fig. 11) through which pass the studs 103. The studs 103 pass through a semi-rigid, rubber gate 104 and terminate in a rigid bar 105 secured to the back of the gate 104. The gate 104 is made vertically adjustable by means of the slots 102 and is locked in any desirable, vertical position by wing nuts 106 cooperating with the studs 103. The gate 104 extends substantially entirely across the distribution chamber 91 immediately above the distribution chains 92. A slight gap is maintained between the ends of the gate 104 and the sides of the distribution chamber 91 to permit inclination of the gate when it is desired to vary the height of the feed removed from the distribution chamber by the chains. The gate 104 serves the same purpose in the distributor units 81 as the gate 72 serves in the ground floor hopper 10.

Forward of the gate 104 are a plurality of pulleys 110 mounted on a common shaft 111. Each of the pulleys 110 engages and drives one of the distribution chains 92. The shaft 111 is driven by a chain 112 connected to the speed reducer 113. The speed reducer 113 is in turn operated by the prime mover 114 through the belt 115.

The shaft 111 also mounts a pulley 120 over which passes the belt 121. The belt 121 drives the pulley 97 and thus the distribution conveyor 93. The belt 121 is properly tensioned by means of the idler pulley 122. The idler pulley 122 is mounted for vertical adjustment in a slot in the panel 123 separating the forward end of the distribution chamber 91 from the power chamber 96. It is thus seen that on each of the upper floors Where there is a distributor unit 81, a single prime mover 114 serves as the sole source of power to operate the distribution conveyor 93 and the distribution chains 92. Thus, only one additional prime mover is needed for each floor supplied by my system.

The distribution chains 92, like the distribution chains 24, are throughout their length, except the short area within the distribution chamber 91, enclosed in open topped troughs 125. Where the distribution chains 92 enter and exit the distribution units 81, guards 126 are provided to prevent poultry from becoming entangled with the mechanism within the chamber. The guards 126 are identical in every way with the guards 67 of the hopper 10 on the ground floor.

The chute 80 is normally rectangular where it lays beside one of the distribution units 81. Although it may be rectangular throughout its length, where it passes through a floor 130 to connect the distribution units 81, it is frequently of circular construction such as the tubular sections 80a shown in Fig. 1. The feed discharged from the last of the distribution units 81 passes down through the tubular portion 80a of the chute 80 and is discharged into the conveyor 150 (Figs. 1 and 3).

The conveyor 150 consists of a helical member 151 6 mounted upon and rotated by a shaft 152 driven by the belt 153 (Fig. l). The belt 153 is, in turn, driven by a pulley 154 mounted on the end of the shaft 55. The conveyor extends above and across the hopper 10.

At the end of the hopper 10 remote from the distribution chamber 20 it terminates in a screen 155. The screen 155 is mounted on the shaft 152 and is rotated thereby. The screen 155 is so constructed that feed will pass through it into the feed bin 11. Any trash, litter or other foreign material which may have become intermixed with the feed, is retained by the screen and discharged through its open, outer end 156. The discharge end 156 of the screen 155 is beyond the end of the hopper and thus discharges this trash where it will not be re turned to the feed bin 11.

While I have described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be recognized that various modifications of this construction may be made, all embodying the principles of my invention. Each of these modifications is to be considered as coming within my above disclosure. It will also be recognized that while I have described my invention as specifically applicable to poultry feeders, that it has other uses where it is desired to distribute a finely divided material to individually operated units on a plurality of floors and at the same time eliminate the necessity for providing bulk hopper units or other supply containers on the upper floors.

Operation The bulk feed to supply the entire unit is placed in the feed bin 11 of the hopper 10. This bulk feed serves as the bulk supply for all of the units. Therefore, only the feed bin 11 on the ground floor need be supplied, the machine doing the rest of the work by elevating the necessary quantities of feed to supply the upper floor units.

This feed is slowly removed from the feed bin 11 by the supply conveyor 14. The feed is discharged by the supply conveyor 14 into the distribution chamber 20 where it is immediately acted upon by the distribution conveyor 21. The large pitch of the distribution conveyor 21 moves the feed rapidly across the distribution chamber 20. As much of the feed as is necessary to supply the distribution chains 24 remains on the chains, the rest of it being discharged into the elevator 30.

Since the operation of the distribution conveyor 21 is identical to the operation of the distribution conveyor 93 on the upper floors, it will be described with reference to the disclosure in Fig. 10. The feed discharged into the distribution chamber 20 piles up on the chains and by means of the distribution conveyor 21 is rolled up into the area between the distribution conveyor 93 and the gate 104 forming a pile of feed 160 extending the entire length of the disribution conveyor. A portion of this feed is carried out as a stream 161 by the chains as they move under the gate 104. The height of the gate determines the height of the stream of feed 1 61.

The pile of feed 160 is constantly agitated and its upper portion 162 is rolled over and over. Because of this rolling action, litter, trash and other foreign materials will be caused to collect in this top portion where they will not be removed by the chains. This litter and trash is quickly carried to the elevator where it is discharged and removed. Any litter or trash which gets into this feed does so'by reason of excess feed returned by the distribution chains from the troughs. Thus, the rotation of the distribution conveyors serves to completely clean the feed before any feed is discharged from the dis tribution chamber onto the chains.

The excess feed discharged from the distribution chamber 20 is elevated by the elevator 30. On the top floor this feed is discharged into the funnel 43. The feed discharged into the funnel 43 falls into the chute 80.

Depending upon the position of the baffle 84, the feed either passes down the chute 80 to by-pass the distribution;unit,81 on :the top floor or is deflected to cascade intothe teed chamber 82. The bafile 84 causes the feed to enter the 'feed chamber at the far end where it passes through the narrow opening 90. 1 The feed falls. from the feed chamber '32into the distribution chamber 901between the gate 104 and the distribution conveyor 7 93,. Thereit-is carried along and :mixed with any .ieed

whichj-may 'have'been returned by thedistribution chains 92.; As on the first floor, any litter or foreign materials returned from rthettroughs by the distribution chains 92 is collected in the top of :the mass of feed 160 between V the distribution conveyor 93 and the :gate'104. This trash mines the amount of feed leaving the distribution cham-' ber and-carried out by-the chains to supply the troughs. The excess f eed discharged by the distribution conveyor 93 to the chute 80 on the top floor is calculated to be *It will-be recognized that suitable. switches fOl'QQIlQRQF;

ing-theprime =n1overs 114.on ;the upper floors m y-alsoor inactivate a particular distribution unit 81. i It -will be "further recognized that .to make this system fully automaticvland controllable. from the first floor, suitable ciples. YSuch modifications are to be considered as in enough to at least adequately supply the chains 92 passa ing' through the distribution unit '81 on the floor below.

'Any excess feed together with the accumulated trash from all of the distribution units and the hopper 10 is discharged from the bottom distribution unit 81 into the chute 8! which guides it by means of the chute 80a into the conveyor 150; The conveyor '150 transports this'feed across the top of the hopper 10 into the screening unit 155. In the screening unit, the feed is separated 'from the trash and returned to the end-of the feed bin 11 remote from the distribution chamber 2%. The trash is discharged at the end of the screening unit 155 whereby I hit is entirely removed from the feed.

It is seen from this description that the feed makes a complete :circuit' with only that much of thetfeed remaining on any one of the floors at any one time to adequately supply the system on that floor. Any excess 'feed is immediately removed and discharged to the feedontany floor other than the first floor. At the same time,

all floors are adequately supplied and this can be quickly determined by an operator on the first floor by inspection. a

If, as -a consistent condition, no teed is being returned by the-conveyor 15t!, thesupp1y tolthe upper floors should be increased to-be sure they are adequately/supplied. This may be quicklydone by changing the pulleys 52 and 50m increase the angular velocity of the supply'conveyor 14-and the distribution conveyor 21. By this means, more feed is moved out of the teed-bin 11. ,Since the demand'of the chains 24 will remain relatively constant because the angular velocity of the sprocket 61 is not changed, the additionalteed-discharged by the supply conveyor 14Vis. discharged into the elevator to serve as asupply for the units on the upper floors.

solenoids might be provided to operate each: of the wbaffies 84. These solenoids could be -operated by; three, way switches with one unit provided 'on..the -,flo,or in volved and 'oneunit: provided adjacent .the hopper 2.01!

the first floor. With vthese various additions the entire 7 unit: may be entirely operable rfrom' the first floor without the necessity .of ever climbing to the. upper floors.

These are but'examples of refinementswhich canzhe added to my invention without departihg-ficomits print cluded in the hereinafter appended claims unlessfthesef claims by their languagel'expressly state Lotherwise. 7

I claim: a V a t 1. Ina multiple item feeder, the combinationcomprising: a feed hopper on the bottom floor; an elevator, said elevator extending :through at least one upper floor; first means for distributing feed on said bottom floor; a first conveyor associated with said feed hopper and first said distributing means; said first conveyor simultaneously discharging'into both said first distributing .rneans and said elevator; aseconddistributing means on said upper floor; the discharge endof said elevator discharging into said second-distributing means; a second conveyor associated with'said'second distributing means; a-return means including a chute'for returning feed tosaid feed hopper said second conveyor discharging into said chuteL V '2. in multiple floor feeder, the combination comprisa ing a feed hopper on the bottom floor; an elevator, said elevator extending through at least one upper ;flo'or; first means for'distributing feed on said bottom floor; a first conveyor associated'with said feed hopper and first said distributing means; saidffirst conveyor discharging into bothsaid-first distributing meansand said 'elevator; a second distributing means-ion said upper 'floorfthe discharge end of said elevator discharging into saidisec ond distributing means; a-second conveyor associated with said second distributing means; a return means including a chute for returning feedfto said feed hopper; said second conveyor discharging into said chute; a first gate adjacentsaid first conveyor and a second gate adjacent said second conveyor; said gates being, adapted to regulate the quantity of 'feed removed from said conveyors by'said distributing means. 3. In a Vmultiple floor feeder, the combination cornfrising: a hopper on the bottom floor; said hopper having a feed bin; arr elevator extending'up through said floors; a conveyor for removing feed from saidfeed bin;

7 said conveyor discharginginto the lowerendbt said ele- [Since the-distribution system onfeach of the floors is V separatelypowercd, anyfioor may be bypassed when desired simply 'by' shutting 'ofi theiprime mover 114 on that -'fio'or and-moving the battle '84 to downrposition wherebythe feed simply bypasses that floorby dropping 'down'i the chute '-;80 without being deflected into the feed ichamberSZ. 7

To avoid injury to personnel servicing this equipment, it has 'been found'desirable to wire the prime mover 65'ofthe' hopper llt'byswitches mounted'one on each of the floors supplied -by the unit; Thusfthe prime mover '65 cannot be operated unless'all of these'switches are closed. This prevents personnelworking on upper floors frombeing injured by accidental closing of a single, switch 7 'onthemai n fioort to operate the elevator V turningtfeed to said feed bin; means'providing communi fj cation between said chute and the distribution chambers t of each of said distribution units; a distribution conveyor in each of said distribution chambers; thedisc'harge 'end' t of each of saididistribution conveyors communicating a with said chute; means associated'with eachof saididistribution chambers'forwithdrawing, between the ends 1' of said distribution conveyors, measured quantities of feed from each of saiddistribution'chambers. 7 V

4. In a multiple'floor feeder, the combiriation come prising: a'hopper on the bottom fioorys aidhopperlhaving a feed bin; an -elevator extending rip-through said' floors; a conveyor for removing "feed from said feed bin; 1 f a distribution unit on each of said upper floorsya distribution chamber in each of said distribution units and in said hopper; a distribution conveyor in each of said distribution chambers; the distribution conveyor in the distribution chamber of said hopper being tandemly aligned with the conveyor in said feed bin; said conveyor in said feed bin discharging to said distribution conveyor; said distribution conveyor discharging into the lower end of said elevator; said upper end of said elevator adapted to discharge into the distribution chamber of the distribution unit on the top one of said upper floors; a return means including a chute for returning feed to said feed bin; means providing communication between said chute and the distribution chambers of each of said distribution units; the discharge end of each of said distribution conveyors in said distribution units communicating with said chute; means associated with each of said distribution chambers for withdrawing between the ends of said distribution conveyors measured quantities of feed from each of said distribution chambers.

5. In a multiple floor feeder, the combination comprising: a hopper on the bottom floor; said hopper having a feed bin; an elevator extending up through said floors; a conveyor for removing feed from said feed bin; said conveyor discharging into the lower end of said elevator; a distribution unit on each of said upper floors; a plurality of carrier means associated with each of said distribution units and with said hopper for removing measured quantities of feed therefrom; a return chute; means providing communication between said chute and each of said distribution units; a return conveyor mounted on said hopper; said return chute discharging into said return conveyor; said return conveyor discharging into said feed bin; the upper end of said elevator discharging into the top of said return chute; a movable bafiie in said return chute at each of said distribution units for by-passing said distribution unit or for deflecting feed from said return chute into the adjacent of said distribution units; conveyor means in each of said distribution units for distributing feed to each of said feed carrier means; the discharge ends of each of said conveyor means communicating with said return chute.

6. In a multiple floor feeder, the combination comprising: a hopper on the bottom floor; said hopper having a feed bin; an elevator extending up through said floors; a conveyor for removing feed from said feed bin; said conveyor discharging into the lower end of said elevator; a distribution unit on each of said upper floors; a plurality of chains passing through each of said distribution units and through said hopper for removing measured quantities of feed therefrom; means including a chute for returning feed to said feed bin; means providing communication between said chute and each of said distribution units; a return conveyor mounted on said hopper; said chute discharging into said return conveyor; said return conveyor discharging into said feed bin; the upper end of said elevator discharging into the top of said chute; a movable bathe in said chute at each of said distribution units for by-passing said distribution unit or for deflecting feed from said chute into the adjacent of said distribution units; conveyor means in each of said distribution units for distributing feed to each of said chains; the discharge end of each of said conveyor means communicating with said chute.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 270,619 Weschler Jan. 16, 1883 329,498 Spitzer Nov. 3, 1885 587,509 Roberts Aug. 3, 1897 2,563,321 Dugan Aug. 7, 1951 2,589,690 Graetz Mar. 18, 1952 2,597,064 Charles May 20, 1952. 

